How many times a day to feed puppies: nutrition rules and recommendations

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Nature has created and prescribed the pattern of dog development in its genetic code. Some of them are destined to become champions of exhibitions and become famous, while others will never leave the gray mass of relatives. How many times a day to feed puppies so that they grow up full and he althy? This question is especially relevant, because not only the well-being of the dog depends on the composition of the diet, but also on a well-designed daily routine.

Newborn pets

At first glance, there should be no problems with the nutrition of puppies - they have a mother who will take care of everything. But do not forget that in some breeds the number of cubs in a litter can reach ten or even twelve puppies, which is the norm for them. Before answering the question of how many times a day to feed puppies after birth, it is worth considering the situation in more detail.

If the cubs are still very young and their mother feeds them, you will needwatch them carefully. Try to evenly distribute breast milk between them. Saturated and sleeping puppies are put aside, and weak ones are brought to the nipple in their place. Don't let the stronger babies deprive the others of enough food.

Under natural conditions, the weaker ones would die from lack of food. But it is in our power to help them survive, because they often grow up to be the most active and lively dogs.

In special textbooks sometimes there are calls for culling the weakest puppies. Perhaps, from the point of view of cynology, this operation is justified, but not every person is able to take the lives of babies. In this case, the problem of complementary foods requires an urgent solution in the first days after the birth of puppies.

Feeding newborns

At two weeks of age, babies open their eyes, as a result of which their activity increases. The need for energy is also growing. By the end of 3 weeks, mothers try to take a break from restless cubs, for which they seek shelter. At this time, puppies need additional sources of calories.

If the mother is dead or has no milk, then the lives of the newborns are in the hands of the owner. The puppies are urgently looking for a nurse or food is organized on their own. In the first days and weeks of life, the basis of their diet is milk. They are bottle fed.

How many times a day should a puppy of this age be fed? In the first week, milk is given around the clock every 2 hours. The interval is gradually increased, bringing to the end of the first month of life up to 4hours.

Goat milk or a special substitute is poured into the bottle. The amount is gradually increased from 20 to 100 ml at a time. Puppies are not prone to overeating and stop eating when full.

By the third week, liquid cereals are introduced into the diet - an ideal first complementary food. Cook semolina in milk with a little sugar. Start with 50 g per day, gradually increase the amount to 250 g. With the introduction of complementary foods, puppies are given water.

Dogs are predatory animals, so the presence of meat in their diet is not only acceptable, but also desirable. Do not give puppies pork and lamb. For this purpose, it is better to use beef, in which there are no fatty layers and films. Toddlers are first given a "scrape". Dial a little meat mass on your finger and offer the baby. The reaction to a new product is different: some will like it, while others will not even want to try it.

The most stubborn smear this mass on the nose or lips, forcing the pet to hit it with your tongue. This is enough for a puppy to develop a love for meat once and for all. In the future, be more careful so that the pet does not bite your finger along with such a treat.

Diet dependent on breed

How many times a day should I feed a Chihuahua puppy (Dog, Terrier, etc.)? The wide variety of dog breeds and sizes makes us think about the dependence of the diet on these traits.

The nutrition of babies in the first weeks of life will not differ significantly. Interested in how many times a day to feed Yorkie or other puppiesbreed makes sense when they grow up.

Do not forget to include nutritional supplements and vitamins in the diet, their composition and quantity depend on the breed. Long-haired puppies benefit from brewer's yeast, large - calcium. Specialists of breed clubs or veterinarians will help you choose the optimal set of supplements.

Diet for a puppy over 1 month old

Feeding a dog under 4 weeks of age shouldn't be difficult, as his needs are limited to milk in a bottle. The menu of a grown pet should become more diverse. How much per day to feed monthly puppies? The number of meals for him should be up to five per day with a night sleep duration of more than 6 hours.

To organize the proper nutrition of a small predator, you will need to prepare a special bowl. It is desirable that it be heavy in order to avoid accidental tipping. The container is placed on a stand, the height of which is selected for the puppy: the upper edge of the bowl should be at chest level. In this case, the natural position of the forelimbs and the cleanliness of the ears will be preserved.

Having de alt with the question of how many times a day to feed a month-old puppy, we turn to the description of his diet:

• White bread soaked in milk.
• Raw yolk with milk.
• Low-fat cottage cheese up to 20 g per day.
• Minced meat. Complementary foods start with 0.5 teaspoon.
• Puree from boiled vegetables. Starting with 50 g per day.

At this age, the pet should not be given fish yet.

Diet for a 1.5 month old puppy

At the age of 6 weeks, the pet menu consists of the following components:

• Cow's milk mixed with goat's or alone.
• Rice, semolina and oatmeal porridge.
• Sea fish in raw form.
• Boiled river fish. Heat treatment is necessary to destroy the contained parasite larvae.

You need to consult a veterinarian about the inclusion of vitamins and trace elements in the diet. How many times a day to feed puppies of this age? 3-4 times is enough, but the amount of food per serving should be increased.

Two month old puppy diet

By this age, natural-fed pets no longer receive milk from their mother. Puppies begin a period of intensive growth, for which they require more calories. Therefore, those animals that were bottle-fed, you need to change the diet.

What and how many times a day should a puppy be fed at 8 weeks of age? The number of meals remains at the level of 3-4 per day. The pet's menu might be:

• The minced meat, which was previously fed to the puppy, is replaced with meat pieces.
• Low fat broth.
• The variety of cereals is increasing due to buckwheat, oatmeal and wheat.
• Dairy products.
• Berries, nuts and honey are given as he althy treats.
• Vegetables.
• Tomatoes are a great way to prevent the appearance oftartar.

Three-month puppy diet

How many times a day to feed puppies at the age of 3 months? The number of meals is not reduced, dogs are still fed 3 to 4 times a day.

The animal's diet is as follows:

• Cottage cheese with cream or sour cream.
• Various cereals.
• Meat products.
• Eggs.
• Fish (raw or cooked, depending on its origin).
• Vegetables. If the pet does not eat them in their pure form, add pieces of meat to them.
• Dry berries and fruits.
• Bread crumbled into broths and crushed vegetables.

Contraindicated products

The list of products that can undermine the he alth of a small dog is small. Every breeder should know it:

• Raw fish from the river.
• Cheese.
• Chicken or chicken meat.
• Sausages.
• Bones.
• S alty and smoked food.
• Fried meat.
• Candies, cakes and other foods high in sugar.

The exclusion of this food from the puppy's diet will allow you to grow a strong and he althy dog out of it, which will be a true friend for many years to come. The simple tips and tricks contained in the article will help you not to get lost in the question of how many times a day to feed a puppy of a shepherd, mastiff and many other breeds.